FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: My Mother's Table |
|
By the time you read this I will be on a plane to Texas to visit with my parents and my sister who is flying in from California. The four of us were lucky enough to enjoy a family visit just six weeks before the lockdown in 2020. And we were able to gather once in a hotel midway through the pandemic. But it has been 15 months since I got to step foot in the retirement community where my parents reside or sit at my mother’s table which is always abounding with beauty and deliciousness. My story echoes millions of other stories.
Perhaps because the separation was forced, I feel a sense of longing about seeing them again. My sister and I both left the Lone Star State and our parents nest more than 30 years ago. Marriage, career and children reshaped the contours of our lives. And now we return into the arms of those who gave us birth, with the certainty that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of one another.
I suspect that none of us knows quite yet how we have been altered by the pandemic. That could take years to reveal itself. I have enjoyed the solitude of working at home and the concept of “weekends” which had never been a reality in my adult life. But I am longing to host dinner parties. I’m looking forward to inviting the church staff over for a picnic in our backyard. I’m counting the days until we will gather on the front lawn in the cool summer breeze at dawn for outdoor 9:01 Sunday worship. And I keep imagining the holy reverberation of our collective voices belting out the processional hymn in the grandeur of our sanctuary later this summer at the 11:00 a.m. service or in the chapel at 10:00 a.m.
Distance has been a teacher of sorts. It has awakened our longing for community. By the grace of the vaccine, we are able to return to in person worship and be welcomed into the arms of the God who gave us birth. Matthew 18:20 says “where two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst of them.” In one another’s company, we can be certain that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
|
|
NEW SERMON SERIES - THE NEXT 100
May 2– Part 3, Sarah's Going to Have a Baby! Based on Deuteronomy 6:20-25. Mike Graves preaching.
As we celebrate the Centennial of our congregation, we now boldly build the tomorrows for those who will come after us. This series will reflect on the gratitude we share for the indescribable gift of God’s grace and the ways we are called to partner with the holy one for future ministry and service. Read more about The Next 100 campaign below.
Click HERE to worship with us.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
Do you ever have trouble accessing our live stream? Click HERE for some helpful hints. |
|
COMING MAY 16
9:01 ON THE LAWN
Join us for our first in-person service in more than a year! Service will follow safety protocols and will continue throughout the summer. More details coming soon. We can't wait to see you in person!
Indoor services will also be streamed via cccckc.org at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. each Sunday.
|
|
After more than two years of visioning, listening, dreaming and prayerfully discerning, our congregation is launching a bold vision for the future with The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign.
Watch our campaign VIDEO.
|
|
Celebration Event
Saturday, May 8 • 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Join us to celebrate the success of
The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign
Brief program begins at 3:30 p.m. followed by planting a tree in celebration of The Next 100 Campaign and honoring the children of our congregation.
Enjoy live music, food and beverage, conversation with friends, and Mothers’ Day activities for children and youth.
View renderings and talk to campaign co-chairs about the projects included in The Next 100 campaign.
Bring your Next 100 Campaign Card and Annual Stewardship Campaign Card.
Safety protocols will be observed.
|
|
BEGINNING AGAIN:
ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
Our annual giving campaign supporting the day to day ministries is underway concurrently with The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign. Each year your generosity allows us to maintain and grow all of the ministries which have been so vital to us all.
Click HERE to learn more about this campaign, and watch the annual campaign video at the right.
|
|
|
CEDAR RAPIDS RELIEF TRIP
June 3-6
The Mission Trips Team at Country Club Christian Church invites you to join us on a relief trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from June 3-6 to work with Habitat for Humanity to do repair and relief work with homes and other buildings affected by last summer’s derecho wind storm. We will leave at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 3, to work Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon, and will depart Cedar Rapids Sunday morning, June 6, to return to KC by early-mid afternoon. We will lodge with a local congregation. Participants must be 18 or older; space is limited. Cost will be $175-250. To register, submit a registration form to Lisa Tang and a $50 deposit, which you can submit HERE.
|
|
Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is responding to the Covid-19 crisis in India Click HERE for more information.
|
|
Monday Night Classes - Saints of Our Time
May 3, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Led by Dr. Mike Graves
The word “saint” conjures up all sorts of things for us moderns, golden halos painted around ancient heads, people like Saint Augustine, or more recently, Saint Teresa. In these interactive Zoom sessions, we will look at some more modern saints and what they have to teach us ordinary saints in our day: the last session features Mary Oliver.
|
|
|
|
Faith and Grief: From Death to New Life
Tues., May 4, Noon
Rev. Melanie Hardison discusses the ways that death leads to new life, not only for the deceased, but for those of us who grieve and remember. Rev. Hardison lost her father to leukemia 15 years ago. She was with her father when he died and will share the spiritual experiences she had during his final hours. Following her reflection, you may share your own experiences, if you are comfortable doing so, in a facilitated small group through our on-line conversation. Everyone is welcome; no charge. Faith and Grief Virtual Support Gatherings are hosted by Kansas City area congregations. Register HERE or HERE. For more information Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC or 816-381-9249.
|
|
|
|
Guest Gathering
Thurs., May 6 – 7:00-8:00, under the tent in the backyard
Coming together as a strong community of faith begins with learning more about one another. At our Spring Guest Gathering, Rev. Carla Aday will address our history as a congregation along with exciting plans for the future beginning with our Centennial Celebration and our upcoming church restoration. We’ll identify pathways to meet others and become engaged in the life of the church through service and study. We look forward to getting to know you and to answering your questions.
|
|
|
|
Roots May Social – Skincare & Spiritual Practice
Sat. May 15, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the church
Join us for our May Social in the church backyard. Our guest Christi Campbell will lead us in a ninety-minute workshop teaching us some skincare practices (for all genders and skin types!) and spiritual practices (including three different styles of meditation). You’re invited to join us as we learn together new styles of self care. RSVP now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Faithbook met under the tent on Wed., April 28. In Faithbook, wo men explore the scriptures and share in friendship and the spirit does the rest. Two groups meet regularly, on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. or Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. If you're interested in connecting with one of these groups, contact Barbara George.
|
|
Uprooting Racism: Courage in a Conjectural Moment
Recently Country Club Christian Church hosted a watch party for an event hosted by American Public Square featuring Professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr. from Princeton University for a conversation about his recent book Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own. In the hour-long conversation, Glaude shared about the lessons he’s learned researching the life and work of James Baldwin (1924-1987) a renown author both of beautiful fiction and of critical commentary on the state of racism in our society. Click HERE to read more about this event, and watch for more information about opportunities to engage in this important work. |
|
Grace at Work Partnership Day Postponed
The Grace at Work Partnership Day scheduled for Sat., May 1 has been postponed. Watch for information about a new date coming soon.
LAST CHANCE: APRIL COLLECTION CONNECTION
Household Supplies for The Grooming Project
The Metro Mission team invites donations of toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and kitchen size trash bags to support The Grooming Project. Donations may be brought to church between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to the east entrance, or left in the teal box at the east entrance.
|
|
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Club Kids for 3rd-5th graders, is an opportunity for fellowship and fun! Community-building games and activities are the focus of these fun gatherings.
-
May 2 - 5:00-7:00 p.m., meal provided, come dressed to get dirty, we're hosting a color war with the youth group
-
May 9 - No Club Kids – Join us on Saturday for our Centennial Celebration on the front lawn
-
May16 - 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., we will gather after worship, have a snack and head to the zoo
-
May 23 - Save the date 6:00. Youth, Club Kids and their families are all invited to an end of year picnic/grill out
-
Service Learning Camp – After receiving feedback and speaking with our partner agencies we will be offering service projects throughout the summer instead of hosting a week long camp.
-
TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our Club Kids activities via text reminders! Sign up here.
Backyard Bash is Coming June 9 – Watch for more information about this fun weekly summer event for children and families!
More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
|
|
YOUTH
May Backyard Campout
Youth are invited to a backyard campout at the church on Saturday, May 15, starting at 6:00 p.m. We’ll spend the night together for essentially an outdoor lock-in— full of games, snacks, a movie, and more! Youth will be invited to participate in a special moment in our first outdoor summer worship service the following Sunday morning.
Middle School Social - SkyZone
Middle schoolers are invited to a social on Tue., June 8, for a night at SkyZone in Shawnee (6495 Quivira Rd) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Cost is $25 and includes dinner. RSVP to Tyler.
High School Social: Nelson Atkins Art Course Mini-Golf
High schoolers are invited to join us for a social on Thurs., June 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m, as we go to the Nelson-Atkins to do their mini-golf course before sharing dinner together. Cost is $20 and includes dinner; RSVP to Tyler.
Summer Service Learning Trips - Registration is officially open for both the Middle School and High School Summer Service-Learning Weeks. Both weeks will invite youth to local service-learning projects throughout the week along with an overnight excursion. Below is more information for both! Click HERE for more information.
|
|
SENIOR RECOGNITION
On Sunday we are celebrating three from our community who are graduating from high school this year and preparing to move to new cities and start new adventures at college this fall.
|
|
Elizabeth Crocker, graduating from Blue Valley North High School, will attend Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Her parents are Tepring and Glenn Crocker, Her Faith Mentor was Amanda Kranz. |
|
Spencer Corn, graduating from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, will attend Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. His parents are Brian Corn and Catherine Stark-Corn. |
|
Aislinn Sullivan, graduating from Shawnee Mission East High School, will attend he University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her parents are Courtney Sullivan and Garrett Sullivan. Her Faith Mentor was Kevin Briggs. |
|
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the family and friends of Ann Wooldridge who died April 28. A family memorial gathering will be scheduled in a few weeks.
|
|
Photo credit Mary McClure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
